“There is more!” resounded throughout the Encounter Conference we hosted, welcoming 1,000 people here from Jan. 4-6. Our God is infinite love, truth, beauty, goodness, and power. And unless we are all those things as well (obviously not), He always has more for us. This is more than a generous offer on His part: this […]

Wait. What? It’s a “Double Jubilee Year”? Um…what jubilees? 2017 has been the 50th anniversary of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and the 100th anniversary of Our Lady’s apparitions at Fatima. (Yep…now you remember.) It’s true that it hasn’t been talked about much besides the February “50 Years of Amazing Grace” conference, the Annunciation event in […]

With these words, St. Paul begins 1 Corinthians 14. He has just written about both love and spiritual gifts in 1 Cor 12-13, concluding, “And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” Love is the heart of the spiritual life, but the spiritual life is not complete […]

By Christy Whiting, Upper Room Director Pittsburgh is not only the birthplace of the modern Catholic charismatic renewal, but it is where three rivers—the Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela—come together. It proved to be a symbolic location for the National Service Committee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR)’s Jubilee Conference. There, an estimated 6,000 people gathered, […]

“To grow in love is to grow in the Spirit. To grow in the Spirit is to grow in holiness. Holiness is the will of God for us.” With these words, Bp. Sam Jacobs reminded us at the “50 Years of Amazing Grace” conference of our fundamental call as disciples of Christ. We are to […]

This is the prophetic call that the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Michigan is hearing strongly. It was the theme of the annual All Michigan Catholic Charismatic Conference (AMCCC) event held on July 8-10 with keynotes by James “Butch” Murphy. It’s Go-Time for all of us…and no, it’s not referring to Pokémon. It refers to the […]

When I used to teach at the Holy Spirit Seminars, we had a saying: “When you ask the Holy Spirit to come, he never says ‘no.’” That was as true as ever this Pentecost weekend. Friday night’s Pentecost Praise & Worship had one of the most fire-filled worship sessions I’ve ever seen. In reference to […]

The first time the Holy Spirit asked me to give a prophetic word, I said “No.” I was 14 years old, and had recently become a lector at Mass. I loved lectoring, having gotten past my initial nervous speed-reading for which one deacon said I would need an oxygen tank. But giving a prophetic word […]

On Saturday, February 14, Pope Francis announced the canonizations on May 17 of three new saints. One of them, Mary of Jesus Crucified, O.C.D., is not well known outside the Order of Discalced Carmelites. She should be of interest to Charismatics, though, because of her deep devotion to the Holy Spirit, which she promoted ardently. […]

“Why would anyone want to spend their Friday night doing praise and worship?” We are frequently asked this. It begs a deeper question: What’s so important about praise? In praise we recognize God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us, “Praise is the form of prayer which recognizes most immediately that God is God. […]

Announcements:

Upper Room's Back to School Taco Night, Friday, Sept. 13! On Sept. 13, Upper Room is kicking off the new school year with 5:30 pm Mass, a taco dinner at 6:30 pm, and Praise & Worship at 7:15. Old and young are invited to come! Dr. John Gresham will be emceeing the night and Dan Dirkes will be leading worship. Prayer ministry teams will be available! Tacos will be provided by Upper Room but please bring a side dish to share! Let's come before the Lord with joyful praise!

Join us for our first Praise 'n Play Festival on Friday, Aug. 9!

We’ll start at 6:00 pm (or right after the 5:30 pm Mass) with a FREE hot dog dinner in the courtyard next to the Parish Center Gym (the "Barn"). We'll also have a bounce house, carnival games, face painting, snow cones, and more! Please bring lawn chairs or a blanket and a side dish or dessert to share.

At 7:45 pm, we'll move into the Church for Upper Room Praise & Worship. (Note the later start time.) All ages are welcome!

Then at 9:00 pm, we'll go back outside for a Movie Night under the Stars featuring Mary Poppins Returns! Concessions will be available to purchase during the movie night.

Rain? No problem! We'll just move into the Barn. Be sure to mark your calendars. You won't want to miss this wonderful night of fellowship, worship, and fun for the whole family!!! To download a flyer to share with your friends, please click here.

Special Upper Room with Eucharistic Adoration on June 28 On Friday, June 28, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, come and worship the Lord at Upper Room with reckless abandon. Let us seek the Heart of Jesus for our strength and joy!

6:30-7 pm: Ice Cream Social celebrating the last day of Vacation Bible School. All are welcome! — Church Patio

"In the Sacred Heart every treasure of wisdom and knowledge is hidden. In that Divine Heart beats God’s infinite love for everyone,
for each one of us individually." – St. John Paul the Great

Kids Healing Workshop this Friday before Upper Room Parents, this Friday, March 22,at 6:40 pm in the St. John Paul the Great room, your kids ages 7-18 years old are invited to a workshop that will teach them how to pray with people for healing. This joy-filled workshop will incorporate worship, multimedia, witness, a presentation, and time to practice. Children will be taught that even though they are little, they have a big Holy Spirit that lives in them and that God wants to use them to do miraculous things. The children will be ministering in prayer teams that evening at Upper Room. Questions? Contact Caroline Gambale-Dirkes at cdirkes@ctkcc.net.

Mark your calendars! On Friday, Feb. 8, join us for dinner following the 5:30 pm Mass in the Gym (around 6:15 pm). A dessert or side dish would be welcomed. From 6:45-7:10 pm, children in grades K-5th will be invited to participate in a fun game, learn new hand motions, and hear a short teaching on worship. Upper Room will start at 7:15 pm in the Church Worship Space with Dan Dirkes leading music ministry. Prayer teams will be available for individuals. Refreshments will be provided afterward in the Mengeling Room.

Our next Upper Room will be on Friday, Jan. 25, at 7:15 pm with Caroline Gambale-Dirkes hosting and Tim Stout leading worship. The first hour will be praise & worship followed by an exhortation and prayer response. Refreshments will be available afterward in the Msgr. Frank McGrath Room. (The location for refreshments has been changed due to set up for Saturday's Women's Retreat.)

New year, new time! Praise & Worship starts at 7:15 pm beginning Jan. 11! We are excited to announce that amazing things are happening at Upper Room for 2019! Upper Room will start at 7:15 pm on the 2nd & 4th Fridays to make it easier for families to attend. We are also happy to announce that Dan Dirkes and Tim Stout are going to lead worship for Upper Room. Both Dan and Tim are anointed worship leaders and we are so grateful they are joining us. Our last Upper Room had 170 people present and 40 of them were young people ranging from 1 to 18 years old. It was a very powerful night of worship. We expect for 2019 more miracles, more power, and more of an outpouring of God's love on His people. Be sure to join us this Friday, Jan. 25!